Nose sprayer

ABSTRACT

A nasal spray device for dispensing a liquid from a pressurized container (R). The nasal spray device includes two juxtaposed applicators ( 1   a,    1   b ), each being provided with at least one expulsion duct ( 10   a,    10   b ) opening at an outer end in a spay nozzle (B) and communicating at an inner end with the container (R) with a pressurizing device (P). The applicators are fixed to a base ( 2 ) which couples them to the container (R). The nasal spray device includes a first part (I) supporting the applicators ( 1   a,    1   b ) and an outer bottom skirt ( 11 ) radially clamping onto a cylindrical inner bearing surface ( 21 ) provided along a surface of a second part (II) carrying the base ( 2 ). The first and second parts (II) define bottom portions of the expulsion ducts ( 10   a,    10   b ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a nasal spray device, and moreparticularly to an improvement of the dispenser head of such a device.

Such spray devices are designed mainly for treating illnesses orconditions affecting the nasopharyngeal region (colds, rhinitis,sinusitis, etc.).

A conventional spray device comprises a container of active liquid,which container is equipped with pressurizing and/or measuring-out meansserving to cooperate with a dispenser head. The head is provided with atleast one expulsion duct opening out at its outer end in a spray nozzleand communicating at its inner end with the container via thepressurizing means.

Unfortunately, the head of such a spray device is provided with a singleapplicator only, so that, in order to apply the treatment, it isnecessary to spray successively into each nostril while simultaneouslyblocking off the other nostril.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve that technical problemsatisfactorily.

The invention achieves this object by means of a nasal spray device ofthe above type, in which the dispenser head comprises two juxtaposedapplicators, each of which is provided with at least one expulsion duct,the ends of the applicators being separated by a distance thatcorresponds substantially to the mean spacing between the nostrils, andthe applicators being fixed to a base for coupling them to thecontainer.

In a preferred embodiment, the two applicators are identical, each ofthem being provided with a respective expulsion duct which extendsaxially at least in its end portion.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the expulsion ducts of thetwo applicators merge at the bottom to form a single feed duct.

In a first variant, the duct is constituted by a central bore in saidbase.

In a second variant, the feed duct is constituted by a central sleevethat projects into said base.

In an advantageous embodiment, said head is made up of a first partcarrying the two applicators and designed to be assembled together witha second part carrying the base.

Preferably, the two parts then define between them the bottom portionsof the expulsion ducts.

In another variant, the first part is provided with an outer bottomskirt serving to clamp radially and in leaktight manner onto acylindrical inner bearing surface provided at the top of the secondpart.

In another variant, the bottom face of the first part and/or the topface of the second part is/are provided with a groove/respective groovesdefining at least in part the walls of the bottom portions of theexpulsion ducts.

According to another characteristic, said base supports twocolumn-shaped cores serving to be engaged axially into the end portionsof the expulsion ducts so as to define annular cross-sections.

According to yet another characteristic, the bottom portions of theexpulsion ducts slope relative to the axes of the applicators.

In an advantageous configuration, the two applicators are ofsubstantially frustoconical profile with curved end edges.

The spray device of the invention is particularly ergonomic and makes itpossible to improve and to simplify the therapeutic treatment.

The two-applicator dispenser head is also suitable for use withconventional pressurizing means and containers without it beingnecessary to modify them in any way.

In addition, the embodiment comprising only two parts is particularlyeasy to manufacture and assemble, which makes it very reliable and verylow in cost.

Thus, regardless of the form of the pressurizing and measuring-outmeans, the volume of active liquid delivered is divided into two flowsvia the two-applicator head, which makes it possible to treat bothnostrils simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood on reading the followingdescription accompanied by the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1a and 1 b are elevation views of an embodiment of the spraydevice of the invention shown respectively from the front and from theside;

FIG. 2 is a section view of the dispenser head of the embodiment shownin FIGS. 1a and 1 b; and

FIG. 3 is a section view of the dispenser head of another embodiment ofthe invention, as mounted on a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The nasal spray device shown in the Figures includes a container Rcontaining an active liquid.

The container R is equipped with pressurizing and/or measuring-out meansP, such as a pump, serving to co-operate with a dispenser head T.

The head T is conventionally provided with at least one expulsion ductopening out at its outer end in a spray nozzle (not shown in FIGS. 1aand 1 b), and communicating at its inner end with the container R viathe pressurizing means P (shown in FIG. 3).

In the invention, the head T comprises two applicators 1 a, 1 bjuxtaposed and fixed to a base 2 via which they are coupled to thecontainer R.

The ends of the applicators 1 a, 1 b are separated by a distancecorresponding substantially to the mean spacing between the nostrils.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, the two applicators 1 a, 1 bare identical, each of them having a substantially frustoconical profilewith curved end edges facilitating insertion into the nostrils.

By pressing manually against the flat margins 2 a of the base 2, it ispossible to actuate the pressurizing and/or measuring-out means P,thereby causing the active liquid to be sprayed into the nostrils viathe expulsion ducts in the applicators 1 a, 1 b and via the nozzles.

In the embodiment shown in section in FIGS. 2 and 3, each applicator 1a, 1 b is provided with an expulsion duct 10 a, 10 b that extendssubstantially axially at least in the end portion, upstream from thespray nozzle B.

The expulsion ducts 10 a, 10 b of the two applicators 1 a, 1 b merge atthe bottom to form a single feed duct 20.

In FIG. 2, the feed duct 20 is constituted by a central bore in the base2, and in FIG. 3 it is constituted by a central sleeve projecting intosaid base 2.

The dispenser head T is made up of a first part I carrying the twoapplicators 1 a, 1 b and designed to be assembled together with a secondpart II carrying the base 2

The first part I is provided with an outer bottom skirt 11 serving toclamp radially and in leaktight manner onto an inner cylindrical bearingsurface 21 provided at the bottom of the second part II.

Where applicable the assembly may be supplemented by locking, e.g. inthe form of snap-fastening the parts I and II together.

The two parts I, II define between them the bottom or upstream portionsof the expulsion ducts 10 a, 10 b.

For this purpose, the bottom face of the first part I and/or the topface of the second part II is/are provided with a groove/respectivegrooves defining at least in part the walls of the bottom or upstreamportions of the expulsion ducts once the two parts I, II have beenassembled together.

When each of the parts I, II is provided with a respective groove, thetwo grooves are formed so that they face each other with their edgestouching so as to guarantee that the assembly is leaktight.

The base 2 carries two column-shaped cores 22 a, 22 b serving to beengaged axially into the end portions of the expulsion ducts 10 a, 10 bso as to define annular cross-sections.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the bottom portions of the expulsionducts 10 a, 10 b slope relative to the axes of the applicators so as tofacilitate the expulsion of the active liquid and or the return of anysurplus liquid to recovery or removal means (not shown).

What is claimed is:
 1. A nasal spray dispenser head for connecting to acontainer containing a pressurized liquid comprising: a first partdefining an outer bottom skirt and a pair of applicators, each of saidapplicators includes an expulsion duct extending along an axis of saidapplicator to an exposed end defining a spray nozzle of said expulsionduct; and a second part defining a cylindrical bearing surface, a baseand a pair of column-shaped cores extending vertically above andperpendicular to said base; wherein said first and second parts arecoupled such that said outer bottom skirt radially clamps saidcylindrical bearing surface and each of said column-shaped coresco-axially extends through a respective one of said expulsion ducts todefine an annular passage generally extending from said base to arespective one of said spray nozzles, whereby liquid from said containermay pass through said annular passages and be discharged from said spraynozzles.
 2. The nasal spray dispenser head according to claim 1, whereinthe two applicators are similarly shaped.
 3. The nasal spray dispenserhead according to claim 1 wherein a single feed duct is a central boreformed by said base and positioned along a central axis generallyparallel with said pair of column-shaped cores.
 4. The nasal spraydispenser head according to claim 3 wherein said single feed ductcomprises a central sleeve projecting into said base.
 5. The nasal spraydispenser head according to claim 1 wherein the cross-section of each ofsaid applicators gradually tapers along a length from said outer bottomskirt to said spray nozzles.
 6. The nasal spray dispenser head accordingto claim 1 wherein each of said two applicators have a generally conicalprofile including curved end edges located near said spray nozzles.